Personal Finance

Reflecting on My Journey to Financial Independence: What I’d Do Differently
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Reflecting on My Journey to Financial Independence: What I’d Do Differently

I run a lot. My core group of friends get together and run. It’s a very successful group dominated by financial experts and leaders in the finance space. One of the guys in the group is a professor at a very prestigious university. I’ll call him Professor Peter for this article. Professor Peter always has…

Stealth Wealth: The Key to Keeping Your Wealth and Your Freedom
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Stealth Wealth: The Key to Keeping Your Wealth and Your Freedom

I’ll never forget when I was in the final two weeks of my career, making the rounds to say goodbye to colleagues and thank those who had been part of my journey. During one of those conversations, I sat down with an investment research analyst who specialized in writing about retiring early. Ironically, he hadn’t…

How to Teach a Kid About Stocks: Easiest Way To Explain Stocks to A Kid
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How to Teach a Kid About Stocks: Easiest Way To Explain Stocks to A Kid

When my 7-year-old son Jonathan asked how large companies operate, I saw an opportunity to teach him about stocks using his own business experiences. By relating investing concepts to his entrepreneurial ventures, I made the topic engaging and understandable for him. This is the story of how I introduced my son to the world of…

“Do Something That Makes You Go To The Library”
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“Do Something That Makes You Go To The Library”

In 2021, shortly before I retired, I found myself on a run with a friend who has always been a source of inspiration to me. We are the same age, but while I was preparing to leave behind the structure of my career, he was running several small businesses and dedicating much of his time…

Why Income Isn’t the Biggest Hurdle to Retiring Young
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Why Income Isn’t the Biggest Hurdle to Retiring Young

Would you believe me if I told you that most millionaires don’t earn six-figure incomes? It’s true, and it’s exactly why income isn’t the biggest hurdle to retiring young. Recently, I ran a survey on our YouTube channel asking, “What’s the biggest hurdle you face in retiring young?” The results were striking: 71% of people…

Why a Roth IRA Isn’t Always the Best Choice: A Campfire Conversation

Why a Roth IRA Isn’t Always the Best Choice: A Campfire Conversation

I was sitting around the campfire last weekend, enjoying the warmth of the flames and the comforting crackle of burning wood. My cousin, a financial advisor brimming with enthusiasm, leaned over and brought up a topic that’s been buzzing incessantly on social media: Roth IRA conversions. He insisted that I should convert my Traditional IRA…

Fake Guru.  Why Should I Listen to DadisFire?
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Fake Guru. Why Should I Listen to DadisFire?

I originally wrote this about fake financial gurus in Sept, 2021 a few weeks before I retired at age 42. I’ve made some updates to formatting, but left everything else the same. Oh no, not another fake guru talking about FIRE. I have never really paid attention to all the websites and YouTube videos around…

The Reality of Early Retirement: More Than Just Luck
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The Reality of Early Retirement: More Than Just Luck

When people hear that I retired a few years ago at the age of 42, their reactions are often the same. They look at me with wide eyes and exclaim, “You’re living the dream!” They talk to me like I hit the jackpot as if my early retirement was a stroke of luck. They treat…

How to Build an Emergency Fund That Truly Safeguards Your Future

How to Build an Emergency Fund That Truly Safeguards Your Future

Imagine waking up tomorrow without a job—how long could you sustain your lifestyle before panic sets in? For many, the answer lies in their emergency fund, but determining the “right” amount isn’t always straightforward. An emergency fund is often touted as a financial necessity, but how much you need and what constitutes an emergency fund…

If You Always Want More, You Will Never Be Happy
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If You Always Want More, You Will Never Be Happy

In my conversations with my kids, one topic that frequently comes up is the idea of knowing when enough is enough. It’s a lesson that, while simple, holds profound significance for our happiness. Understanding when we have enough is not just a practical consideration; it’s a powerful mindset that can transform our lives. It shifts…

Is An Adjustable Rate Mortgage a Good Idea?
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Is An Adjustable Rate Mortgage a Good Idea?

When it comes to choosing a mortgage, one of the most significant decisions homeowners face is whether to opt for a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). While fixed-rate mortgages offer the comfort of predictability with a consistent interest rate throughout the loan term, ARMs provide flexibility that can be appealing, particularly for those…

Should I Max Out My 401k? A CFA Who Retired Young Answers

Should I Max Out My 401k? A CFA Who Retired Young Answers

Should you max out your 401k? It’s an intimidating idea. Before jumping into why you should max out your 401k, let’s step back. If you are under 50, you are allowed to contribute up to $22,500 to your 401k. This does not include employer contributions. It is also the 2023 limit. There are other nuances…

How I Teach My Kids About Money Using a Lemonade Stand
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How I Teach My Kids About Money Using a Lemonade Stand

Every business, no matter how large or small, can be compared to a lemonade stand. This simple concept has been the foundation for teaching my son, who is now 7 years old, about money. Ever since he was 4, he has been setting up his lemonade stand, and over the years, it has grown more…

Using Dr. Seuss’s “The Sneetches” to Teach Kids About Money
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Using Dr. Seuss’s “The Sneetches” to Teach Kids About Money

We love to read to our kids and teach them to read. (Admittedly, my wife does a much better job of it than I do, she’s great actually). There are several go-to books that I love to read them. Dr. Seuss’ “Oh The Places You’ll Go” is actually the first book I read to my…

What Is A Mortgage Recast, And When Is Better Than A Refinance?
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What Is A Mortgage Recast, And When Is Better Than A Refinance?

Imagine a financial strategy that can lower your monthly mortgage payments, save you thousands in interest, and bring you closer to the dream of early retirement. Mortgage recasting is a powerful tool that can help you achieve financial independence faster. In this article, I’ll explain mortgage recasting, explaining what it is, when and why you…

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Teach your kid personal finance

Please teach your kid personal finance. The school system barely does. I have not dissected anything since high school. I have not used calculus. Trigonometry and Geometry have added no value to anything in my life. But I have borrowed money, saved money, made money, spent money, and invested money. We all do these things…